The study concentrates only on the low income care (LIC) or free medical care program. The data for this analysis are obtained from documents relevant to the program and the sampled survey in Mahasarakham in March, 1986. The head of a household, a spouse or a family member who could give sufficient information about the household, was randomly interviewed. Altogether, the 727 sampled households composed 2 groups, low income card holders and non low income card holders, according to the criteria of LIC provision of the Ministry of Public Health. ...